The World Health Organization raised its global pandemic alert level to Phase 6 today. This means that sustained community transmission of a new influenza virus has now been confirmed in more than one WHO region, and that a global pandemic is now officially declared. Read the Director General's statement to the press.

It is important to note that the change in phase reflects geographical spread of the new influenza A (H1N1) virus, and not the severity of illness that it causes.

At this time, WHO considers the overall severity of the influenza pandemic to be moderate. This assessment is based on scientific evidence available to WHO, as well as input from its Member States on the pandemic's impact on their health systems, and their social and economic functioning.

Countries should prepare to see cases, or the further spread of cases, in the near future. Countries where outbreaks appear to have peaked should prepare for a second wave of infection.

Guidance on specific protective and precautionary measures has been sent to ministries of health in all countries. Countries with no or only a few cases should remain vigilant.

Countries with widespread transmission should focus on the appropriate management of patients. The testing and investigation of patients should be limited, as such measures are resource intensive and can very quickly strain capacities.

WHO continues to recommend no restrictions on travel and no border closures.

PAHO will be hosting a press conference by Dr. Jon K. Andrus on the influenza pandemic on Friday, June 12, at 2pm (Washington DC time). Questions can be sent through e-mail:
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. For more information please check PAHO’s website.

For the latest reports on the status of Influenza A(H1N1) in the Americas please check the daily epidemiological alerts available in the PAHO website.

Publications: Policy and Advocacy

Fact sheets

Adolescents represent the well-being of a society and its development potential - and good health helps ensure independence, security, and productivity across the life course (the World Health Organization defines young people as individuals between the ages of 10 and 24 years old.

The simple act of breastfeeding has numerous health advantages to both mothers and their babies: in terms of NCD prevention, breastfeeding has long-term benefits in the form of reduced risk of chronic illness.

Recognizing the enormous human suffering, socio-economic impact and growing burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in developed and developing countries, the UN will hold a High-Level Meeting on NCDs (UNHLM) the 19th and 20th of September 2011.

The number of people with Diabetes in the Americas was estimated at 62.8 million in 2011, and it is expected to reach the 91.1 million mark by 2030. Results of recent studies in Argentina and Chile demonstrated a remarkable increase in the prevalence of diabetes.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic respiratory disease, and diabetes, are the leading cause of sickness and death for women and men, accounting for 35 million deaths or 60% of all deaths worldwide.

The PAFNCD is a “whole of government and whole of society effort” to confront the NCD epidemic in the Americas following the Declaration of the United Nations High Level Meeting on NCD (UNHLM) of September 2011.

For seniors, good health helps ensure independence, security, and continued productivity in the later years. But non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes can diminish seniors’ quality of life, raise health-care costs, and increase pressure on family members who are responsible for their care.

For seniors, good health helps ensure independence, security, and continued productivity in the later years. But non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes can diminish seniors’ quality of life, raise health-care costs, and increase pressure on family members who are responsible for their care.

In response to the high incidence and mortality rates of cervical cancer in Latin American and the Caribbean, the Pan American Health Organization developed the Regional Strategy and Plan of Action for Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control. The Regional Strategy aims to fortify cervical cancer programs, promoting a comprehensive strategy to approach the natural history of the disease, from primary prevention and early detection to diagnosis, treatment and palliative care; stimulating the introduction of new technologies and approaches to improve the effectiveness of existing programs.

Although the magnitude of the problem is large and projected to increase, many options exist to prevent and manage the major NCDs (cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, and diabetes)

Reports

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. In 2001, 33.1 million deaths, almost 60% of mortality worldwide and 45.9% of the global burden of disease were attributable to NCDs.

This compendium of country profiles summarizes the epidemiological situation and capacity within Ministries of Health for non-communicable disease prevention and control (NCD) in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).

The global epidemic of chronic disease has been widely ignored or seen as less important than other health issues. Advocacy is essential to help to set the record straight and to spur action at all levels.

Strategies

Cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases combined are the leading causes of death and disability in the world (responsible for 60% of all deaths and 44% of premature deaths).

In response to the high incidence and mortality rates of cervical cancer in Latin American and the Caribbean, the Pan American Health Organization developed the Regional Strategy and Plan of Action for Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control.

Document signed by public health authorities, representatives of the food industry and cooking oil companies, convened by the Pan American Health Organization in the city of Rio de Janeiro 8 – 9 June 2008.

This document is written primarily for the community of international development partners, as well as those in government and civil society concerned with urgent action to address the rapidly increasing burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs)...

The Strategy was developed through a wide-ranging series of consultations with all concerned stakeholders in response to a request from Member States at World Health Assembly 2002 (Resolution WHA55.23).

The harmful use of alcohol causes an estimated 2.5 million deaths every year, of which a significant proportion occur in the young. Alcohol use is the third leading risk factor for poor health globally.

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are by far the leading cause of death in the world and their impact is steadily growing. In 2005, 35 million people died from NCDs which represents 60% of the total number of deaths in that year.

Respiratory conditions impose an enormous burden on society. According to the WHO World Health Report 2000, the top five respiratory diseases account for 17.4% of all deaths and 13.3% of all Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs).